Vickers Vimy
| Vickers Vimy | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Bomber |
| Manufacturer | Vickers |
| First flight | Nov 1917 [1] to 1918[2] |
| Introduction | Oct[1][2] to Nov[3] 1918 |
| Primary user |  U.K. (RFC/RAF)
|
| Number built | 221[3] |
| Wingspan | 20.5 m (67 ft 2 in)[4][2] - 20.7 m (68 ft)[5] |
| Propeller Diam. | 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)[5] |
| Engine | 2×360hp Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII [note 1] |
| Armament | 2-4 flexible Lewis MGs [note 2], 1,100 kg (2,476 lb)[4][2] to 2,200 kg (4,804 lb)[5] of bombs |
| Ammo | 4 spare drums front; 6 spare drums rear |
| Max Speed | see table |
| Climb | see table |
| Ceiling | see table |
| Range | 1,400 km (900 mi)[7][4] |
The Vickers F.B.27 Vimy was the answer to the Air Board's request for a twin-engine heavy bomber. A series of prototypes with various engines began flying in November 1917, and some of them looked good, carrying a payload close to or exceeding the Handley-Page O/400. Large orders were placed, but continued refinement and experimentation delayed the first plane arriving in France until October 1918, arriving too late to see combat.
Three of them were on charge at the end of the war: two with experimental units and one with the Independent Force at Nancy, but none of them were used on operational missions. Vickers had only finished thirteen of them by the end of 1918.[6]
It achieved a new form of fame after the war in long-distance flying. The Vimy was the first plane to fly non-stop across the Atlantic and also the first to fly from Britain to Australia.
| Condition | Speed (ground level) | Climb | Svc. Ceiling | Abs. Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No bombs | 166 km/h (103 mph)[7][4] | 2,000 m (6,500 ft) in 14:00[8] 3,000 m (10,000 ft) in 25:55[8] |
4,300 m (14,000 ft)[8] | |
| Loaded | 158 km/h (98 mph)[2] | 1,500 m (5,000 ft) in 21:55[8]-22:00[2] 2,000 m (6,500 ft) in 33:00[8] |
2,100 m (7,000 ft)[7][8][2] | 3,200 m (10,500 ft)[4][8] |
| All stats with 360hp Rolls-Royce Eagle engines. | ||||
For more information, see Wikipedia:Vickers Vimy.
Game Data
Wings of Glory
| Availability | Maneuver | Damage | Dmg Points | Max Alt. | Climb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18Q4 | K | A/A | 19 | 6 | 7 |
Miniatures and Models
1:144 Scale
- Shapeways: Kampfflieger
1:300 Scale
- Metal: Heroics & Ros GWA113
References
- Notes
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Enzo Angelucci, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, 1914-1980. New York: The Military Press, 1983 edition. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.
- Argus Books, Airplane Archive: Aircraft of World War One, Volume 3. Great Britain: Argus Books, 1989. ISBN 0-85242-998-3
- J.M. Bruce. British Aeroplanes 1914-18. Great Britain: Funk & Wagnalls, 1957, 1969. ISBN 0370000382
- J.M. Bruce, Profile Publications 5: The Vickers F.B.27 Vimy. Great Britain: Profile Publications, Ltd., 1965.
- Kenneth Munson, Bombers: Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft, 1914-1919. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1968, Blandford Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0753721711